Maroulis chasing gold
Women’s standout hopes her sixth trip to Worlds is the charm this year in Las Vegas
By Craig Sesker
Helen Maroulis has wrestled in the finals of the World Championships. And she’s captured a World bronze medal for the United States. But the 23-year-old wants more. Much more. Most notably, she is gunning to win a
World title this year and an Olympic gold medal next year.
Maroulis continues to perform at a very high level in women’s freestyle wrestling. She has made her sixth U.S. World
Team and will take aim at earning gold at 55 kg/121 lbs. at September’s World Championships in Las Vegas. “I’m going after gold this year,” Maroulis said, flashing a smile. “I trust my coach- es. I feel amazing. I feel ready to do it.” Maroulis was favored to make the U.S. Olympic Team in 2012 after placing fifth at the 2011 World Championships. But she was upset by Kelsey Campbell in the 2012 Olympic Trials.
Since that loss, Maroulis has bounced back in a huge way. She’s made four straight World Teams. She won a World silver medal in 2012 and added a World bronze last year. Maroulis also has moved to Los Angeles, where she is now training under Coach Valentin Kalika. Maroulis won May’s U.S. Open at the Olympic weight class of 58 kg/128 lbs., but she dropped down to her normal weight class of 55 kg/121 lbs. for the U.S. World Team Trials.
The 55 kg class is a non-Olympic weight class. Maroulis has won both her World medals in that division. Maroulis will have to compete at either 53 or 58 kilograms next year. “The upper weight wasn’t too much because I won the U.S. Open at 58,” Maroulis said. “I also realize now that I am capable of going down to 53 without losing too much strength or having to kill myself to do it.”
Maroulis said she is planning to drop down to 53 kilos during the 2016 Olympic year.
Helen Maroulis has captured two World medals in her career. USAW file photo.
Maroulis rolled past U.S. Open champ and veteran Sharon Jacobson in the final- round series of the World Team Trials at 55 kg.
Maroulis won by technical fall and by fall against Jacobson.
“I just wrestled my style,” Maroulis said. “I didn’t really scout anybody. I just really trusted in my coaching and everything he prepared me for. He just told me to go out
there and be aggressive, and do what you do.”
Maroulis was asked if this is the best she’s ever wrestled.
“Overall, I feel like I’m wrestling well,” she said. “There are still some adjustments that I need to make, but I feel like I’m right there.
“I will be ready to go at the World Championships. I can’t wait.”
USA Wrestler 39
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44